Invest in Family

I love fortune cookies. I don't know why. The 'fortunes' are usually pretty silly or vague or they simply don't make any sense. But every now and then, a nice little surprise is inside. Once, the tiny little paper told me I would have a generous gift given in a week. Well, the next week, I was pulled over and the polite police officer let me ride with a warning. Yep, a generous gift indeed. *big smile*

And tonight as my kids eaglerly waiting for their 'fortunes' I slightly teared up as I read Hulk's tiny piece of paper. If you've read my previous blog posts...you already know why.

"Don't worry about the stock market. Invest in family."

INVEST IN FAMLY

Did you read that? INVEST IN FAMILY

One can interpret this in a million ways. I choose to interpret it this way. Invest in your family. Take time with your kids, your spouse. Invest in TIME. Invest silly grins. Invest love. Invest yourself. Build your family on love. Invest in family!


And for those wondering what the other cookies said...here ya go. This is Bug's cookie.

You will be happily surprised by a long time friend. 

Considering she is only 3, this one was a little funny. But she does have a few long time friends and she was excited to hear that one would surprise her.

And this is mine.  

Take a trip with a friend. 

Not really a fortune, but rather a suggestion. And I think I'll consider it. Soooo...which friend wants to take a trip. And where are we going?

This tshirt is speaking to me!

I found this shirt amongst a mountain of tshirts this past weekend. It was at a fundraiser for sweet friends, a yard sale to benefit their upcoming adoption. There were several of us walking around wearing our 'ADOPTED' tshirts that were a previous fundraiser from the same family. This in itself brought on many conversations. LOVE that a simple tshirt and inspire people to ask questions about adoption and give us the opportunity to not only talk about earthy adoptions that I am so passionate about, but also our heavenly adoption into the family of Christ.

This shirt however, used and worn, spoke volumes to me. See, my friend Amy and I have been working on a project that is near and dear to our hearts. It's mission is pretty simple. People helping people adopt. The number one reason more people don't adopt is because of finances. We are currently setting up a non-profit organization to do just that. Help. Our organization will be different than others out there and we are excited to be able to get it off the ground. Just have to get all the legal stuff out of the way! More details later!!

Yard Sales, Lemonade and Ninja Turtles...Part TWO

IF YOU HAVEN'T READ PART ONE...CLICK HERE

So, with my amazing-heart so big-wonderful son and my oh so sassy daughter...we set up his lemonade stand on Friday morning.

Nothing fancy...no fancy needed when you are bringing your heart to the sale. The night before, I sat with Hulk and Bug and made a sign for the stand. I drew and the kids colored. The simple things are the best! And at the last minute Hulk asked if we could bring suckers to give to the kids for free. So, we loaded up my dad's blue tent, table and banner from the studio, lemonade sign, suckers and tablecloth and headed over. Pulling into my in-laws house (where the yard sale as being held) was simply overwhelming. I hate I didn't get a photo of the number of cars lined up and down the street and in the designated parking area. Again, WOW!

We set up Hulk's stand and people started buying his .25 lemonade. I sat with my kids and watched person after person buying things from the yard sale and coming over for .25 lemonade as they left. It made my heart happy. After a couple of hours, Hulk asked me to count the money. I did, and he asked was it enough to help a kid have a family. My heart smiled.

I simply asked him 'what do you think?'. And he said 'I don't know! Let's keep selling and maybe it will help 2 kids have families'. ahhhh...my heart! Love this boy...and again, he gets it!!

At times, he was bored and tired and hot. But got excited each time a cup of lemonade was purchased...and we counted his little box of money a hundred times that day. By lunch time, he was tired, the crowd was smaller and not as many people were stopping by. He asked me if we were coming back the next day. I told him it was completely up to him. This was his 'thing' and if felt like he was finished then that was fine. He asked if he could think about it. Of course.

The next morning we woke, later than normal and he quickly asked if we could make more lemonade for the yard sale. Of course. So we loaded up and headed over again. It was later than the day before and day 2 of the yard sale so I knew the crowd would be smaller. I was worried he would feel disappointed that his lemonade wasn't selling as quickly as the day before.

But I was surprised. Several people saw his photos on facebook the day before and/or heard about his 'mission' and showed up...JUST to buy lemonade! How awesome is that?!

I continued to count his money over and over again by his request and continued to be overwhelmed by the love of others.

Over the course of 2 days, my heart was overflowing. I experienced again what our own family experienced years ago. People stepping forwarding and say YES, I support you and this adoption. Our friends have amazing people around them and this child, whoever he/she may be, will be blessed with amazing friends and family.

Hulk and Bug (his occasional assistant) made it to the end of the yard sale. Hulk was tired and hot and really wanted to go play by the end, but he made it. We took the stand down and he went and played.  A few minutes later, he came and asked if I would count his money and if he could give it the C&S. He was eager to know what was there. His personal goal was $100...which was a crazy goal for a .25 lemonade stand.

As I counted his money, I became teary. You see, I knew what was there as I'd counted it a million times already and yet I was still overwhelmed at the response of his little lemonade stand. The final count was nearly $80!!! For .25 cups of lemonade!! He was excited and wanted to write a little letter to C&S.

His letter was short and sweet.

"kids need families. I love you."

We tucked this into a zip loc bag with the money and took it to C. He hugged her and and told him how much she appreciated his heart. He becomes slightly bashful at times and becomes silly to cover it up. This was one of those times. C was thankful and she too had seen God moving and paving the way for their adoption. The yard sale was an amazing success...just short of $5000!! AMAZING!!

My heart is full for our friends.
Watching as they go down the road we have traveled twice, is amazing.
Watching as their faith is rewarded time and time again, is amazing.
Watching as my son steps out to help another child have a family....utterly heart warming-melt me-proud mommy-amazing.

Hulk's simple statement will stick with me forever.
Kids need families more than I need Ninja Turtles.
Yes, yes, yes!
He gets it!

Hulk was adopted when he was very young. He know he was adopted but he does not remember being adopted. He only 'remembers' things from his birth country because of photos and memories that we have shared. But he understood adoption, the act of adoption, and the specifics of his own story, early on. His thoughts and feelings are innocent and pure. And he has a heart for adoption, for helping kids have families.

Something so simple that I wish more adults could understand...

Waiting on the other side

I sit here tonight with anticipation, hope, fear...all of the unknown.

But this time, it's not for me...it's for my friend.

I have several friends currently in the adoption process, several are currently waiting for 'the call'. Some are waiting to be united with their children currently living in other countries, and some are currently waiting for the call that a expecting mother has chosen them to parent her child. It's exciting!

And as I sit here right now chatting with a friend on facebook...yes, RIGHT NOW...about whether or not to present their profile TONIGHT, I am flooded with emotions. We've been through this twice and both were different in so many ways. But the emotions were the same. The excitement of 'the call', learning about our soon to be child.

What will he look like?
What will her personality be?
Will he have a lot of hair?
Will she be bald?

But the emotions are bitter sweet. You see, my greatest day is another women's greatest sorrow. The day I meet my child is the day she says goodbye.

So as I sit here chatting with my friend about a possible adoption situation, my mind is thinking about this expecting mother. She is in labor, right now.

What is going through her mind?
How long has she considered adoption?
And why?
What in her life has led her to this point?

My prayer tonight is with this mother. I pray that she is confident in her decision to place her child for adoption. For the adoptive parents? Well, selfishly yes...but not just for them. More than for my friends, I pray this mother is 100% confident for herself. Adoption is forever and while there is often a relationship between birth parents and adoptive parents, it is not the same as parenting the child yourself. This mom is choosing another parent to love her child, to kiss her goodnight, to teach her how to love and how to love others. She is choosing another life for her child, another path than she would have if adoption wasn't the option. I have the most respect for a mother that chooses adoption. I don't know how they do it. These mothers must be incredibly strong and brave...because this is the most selfLESS thing a person can do.

So, as I sit here tonight chatting, texting, and talking on the phone in to the late hours, I think about this mother considering adoption tonight. I am also thinking, as I do daily, about the 2 amazing mothers that gave birth to our children. Both are incredibly special to us. Their stories are as different as night and day, their backgrounds and histories and their reasons for adoption. I am praying an extra prayer for them tonight. Love them both.

Going through this, as I walk beside my friends, is well...awesome. Everyone who knows me knows that my heart is passionate for adoption...for children who need families. I often feel like I'm shouting YES YES YES to every situation...regardless if it's a good 'fit' for my friends or not. So, as I sit here tonight, anxiously thinking about their profile being sent over to the agency, I am secretly shouting YES YES YES!!! See, they are taking a leap of faith tonight and I love them for it. This situation is 99% perfect for their family. But that 1% requires a step of faith...and they are taking it. They may or may not be chosen by this mother. It is her choice, as it should be. And she will choose the best family for her child. I hope that my friends are the family she is looking for...but ultimately, I pray that she finds the perfect family for her. I pray for her tonight. I pray for her peace in this situation. I pray for her health and the baby's health. I pray her labor is easy and that she has the chance to love and hold her baby and been confident in the decision she makes, whether it is adoption or parenting.

So here I sit, waiting on the other side...

Yard Sales, Lemonade and Ninja Turtles....Part ONE!

{It's been an incredible weekend. I have so much to share that I will break it into parts. My heart is full. And God has once again showed up and showed off...just as we knew he would!}

On Thursday our sweet friends set up their yard sale. Yard Sale? Not a big deal, right? I mean, yard sales are boring right? Stuff in your yard to sale to strangers, nothing too exciting about that, right? Well, this is different. See, our friends have been called to adopt. They have clearly felt God calling them to love and adopt a child into their home. But like many hopeful adoptive families, simply writing a check for adoption fees is not an option. Adoption can be expensive and exhausting. Worth it all...but it is truly a step of faith. Our friends said YES to the call. And now they are walking with faith and watching as God is rewarding their faithfulness. We have been where they are. It isn't an easy road to walk. Committing to an adoption, not knowing where God will lead you, how much it will cost you (money and time away) is tough. But you take the step forward anyway.
 
Our friends reached out to their friends and family. A simple request...can we sell your unwanted stuff? They went home to home and collected unwanted items. Their garage became full and overflowing and on set up day...it was overwhelming! My friend C and her husband S had been working for weeks preparing. Gathering, cleaning, tagging. Trying to find a busy location for great traffic. It was a LOT of work. Thursday evening as I arrived, I saw the mass of items, ready for a 'pre-sale' and it was amazing. What looked like an ordinary yard sale was so much more! It represented a village. A village committed to this adoption. It represented friends and family who have stepped forward either through donated items or labor and said YES, I will support you and your walk of faith. WOW!

Earlier in the week I asked my son, Hulk, what he thought about setting up his lemonade stand at the yard sale. He knew what the yard sale represented. He knows our friends are adopting and knows that the yard sale was a fundraiser for the adoption. In typical 8 year old boy reaction...he excitedly said "YES...then I can buy a new ninja turtle!". I explained that if he wanted to buy a ninja turtle with his money that was great, but we would set up his stand this next week at the house because money from the yard sale was going to help C&S adopt. He said ok, he understood. He is an awesome kid with a heart of gold and compassion like no other child I have ever met...but he is 8 and a boy...and ninja turtles are pretty awesome!

The next morning he wakes and tells me that he had a dream. His dream taught him something. Hulk was so serious and I sat anxiously waiting to hear what he had to tell me. He proceeds to tell me

"I learned that kids need families more than I need ninja turtles".

WOW! I mean WOW!

Let me say again that he is EIGHT! He gets it!! It took him a nights sleep to get what many adults will never get. Families are more important than things. Things, possessions, living beyond our means. We hear so often how people would adopt if they could afford it. Trust me, I understand adoption can be expensive and I wish it weren't...but it is. But the fact is, there is always a way. And yes, families are more important then ninja turtles...or brand new cars, the best cable package, eating out every day, gym memberships never used, and yearly vacations (just to name a few things). *stepping off soapbox*

So, with my amazing-heart so big-wonderful son and my oh so sassy daughter...we set up his lemonade stand on Friday morning....


CLICK HERE TO READ PART 2